A method for achieving larger enhancement in Four-Wave Mixing via plasmonic path interference effects

Enhancement and suppression of nonlinear processes in coupled systems of plasmonic converters and quantum emitters are well-studied theoretically, numerically and experimentally, in the past decade. Here, in difference, we explicitly demonstrate --with a single equation-- how the presence of a Fano resonance leads to cancellation of nonresonant terms in a four-wave mixing process. Cancellation in the denominator gives rise to enhancement in the nonlinearity. The explicit demonstration, we present here, guides us to the method for achieving more and more orders of magnitude enhancement factors via path interference effects. We also study the coupled system of a plasmonic converter with two quantum emitters. We show that the potential for the enhancement increases dramatically due to better cancellation of the terms in the denominator.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Anreicherung und Bestimmung von Arzneistoffspuren in Wässern mit Flüssigmembransystemen und HPLC-MS

von Bedia KurtulusPaderborn, Univ., Diss., 200

The effect of university campuses on the spatial cultures of two mid-sized towns: A comparative study of Nottingham, UK and Eskisehir, Turkey

This study focuses on the effects that university campuses and the presence of students has had on the growth and economy of two mid-sized cities. It examines the extent to which the existence of university campuses affects their local economies, and attempts to define the contribution of students to urban sustainability. Students are discussed in the context of university cities as examples of 'creative cities', so attractive to urban decision-makers. The university itself is presented as a 'creative industry', an indicator for socio-economically sustainable cities. The research then describes how universities manifest their roles in the public realm in a spatial way. To do so, two case studies are presented, Nottingham (UK) and Eskisehir (Turkey), which are similar in terms of demography and the location of their campuses. The study investigates both the relationship of campus locations with their surrounding areas, and the relationships that students have with their cities and local populations, using historical and contemporary maps, land use surveys, on site observations and questionnaire results about user activities. The research examines the historical development of the university areas in the case-study cities in terms of their spatial structure and social morphology. The campus areas are divided into three categories according to their location in the city: the 'city centre', 'edge of the city' and 'outside of the city'. The locations of student accommodation are also mapped. The main analysis explores the emergent relationships of campuses and student areas to urban centres, using space syntax measures of network accessibility and area users routes. The aim of the study is to better grasp the relationship between campus and city by considering the presence and the distribution of university buildings and students in urban space in historical perspective. It highlights a better understanding of how student populations affect the socio-economic development of cities, can contribute to a better comprehension of the 'creative city' and the 'sustainable city'

Evaluation of host resistance inducers and conventional products for fire blight management in loquat and quince

Fire blight disease is one of the most destructive diseases of pome fruits. Due to the lack of effective, non-phytotoxic and publicly acceptable materials for controlling fire blight in pome fruit trees, new strategies to manage Erwinia amylovora fire blight are being sought. The resistance-inducing compounds prohexadione-Ca, harpin protein and benzothiadiazole (acibenzolar-S-methyl), the fertilizer humic acid, the bactericides streptomycin and copper salts, and combinations of copper with chemicals were evaluated for their ability to control fire blight on quince and loquat cultivars. Prohexadione-Ca was applied at a rate of 125 mg L-1 at two shoot lengths (6-12 cm and 15-20 cm), while benzothiadiazole + metalaxyl (135 mg L-1) and harpin (50 mg L-1) were applied when the shoots measured between 15-20 cm, and again at 30-35 cm. On loquat cv. Cukurgobek, benzothiadiazole + metalaxyl showed about 60% effectiveness. The addition of copper salts reduced the effectiveness of benzothiadiazole + metalaxyl. On quince cultivars, streptomycin (P ≤ 0.05) was the most effective treatment during both years, followed by the harpin protein alone and in combination with copper salts. Prohexadione-Ca, benzothiadiazole + metalaxyl, and harpin protein applications reduced disease severity on inoculated shoots compared with copper and untreated controls. Prohexadione-Ca reduced both shoot length and shoot blight on the two hosts. Humic acid applications were ineffective in controlling fire blight on loquat and quince cultivars. Quince cv. Eşme showed lower disease severity than cv. Ekmek (P ≤ 0.05). The use of resistance-inducing substances during the early phase of shoot growth may offer a means of managing the shoot blight phase of fire blight disease on quince and loquat.La brûlure bactérienne est l'une des maladies les plus néfastes chez les fruits à pépins. En l'absence de produits efficaces, non phytotoxiques et socialement acceptables pour lutter contre cette maladie causée par Erwinia amylovora chez les pomoïdées, de nouvelles stratégies sont recherchées. La capacité de certains composés pouvant induire de la résistance (prohéxadione-Ca, protéine harpine et benzothiadiazole (acibenzolar-S-méthyle)), de l'acide humique utilisé en tant que fertilisant, de bactéricides (streptomycine et sel de cuivre), ainsi que des combinaisons de cuivre et de produits chimiques à lutter contre la brûlure bactérienne chez des cultivars de néflier du Japon et de cognassier a été évaluée. La prohéxadione-Ca a été appliquée à un taux de 125 mg L-1 sur deux longueurs de pousses (6-12 cm et 15-20 cm), tandis que le benzothiadiazole + métalaxyl (135 mg L-1) et l'harpine (50 mg L-1) ont été appliqués sur des pousses alors qu'elles mesuraient entre 15 et 20 cm, puis à nouveau alors qu'elles mesuraient entre 30 et 35 cm. Chez le néflier du Japon cv. Cukurgobek, un taux d'efficacité d'environ 60 % a été obtenu avec le benzothia- diazole + métalaxyl; cependant, l'ajout de sel de cuivre en a réduit l'efficacité. Sur les cultivars de cognassier, la protéine harpine, utilisée seule et en combinaison avec le sel de cuivre, s'est avérée le traitement le plus efficace durant les deux années de l'étude, après la streptomycine (P ≤ 0.05). La prohéxadione-Ca, le benzothiadiazole + métalaxyl et les protéines harpines ont réussi à réduire la gravité de la maladie chez des pousses inoculées comparativement aux témoins traités au cuivre et aux témoins non traités. La prohéxadione-Ca a réduit à la fois la longueur et la brûlure des pousses chez les deux hôtes. Les applications d'acide humique n'ont pas réussi à réduire l'incidence de la brûlure bactérienne chez les cultivars de néflier du Japon et de cognassier. Le cognassier cv. Eşme a été moins gravement affecté par la maladie que le cv. Ekmek (P ≤ 0.05). L'utilisation de substances pouvant induire de la résistance durant la phase initiale de croissance des pousses peut être une façon de lutter contre la brûlure des pousses causée par la brûlure bactérienne chez le cognassier et le néflier du Japon

Fluorescence Excitation by Enhanced Plasmon Upconversion under Continuous Wave Illumination

We demonstrate effective background-free continuous wave nonlinear optical excitation of molecules that are sandwiched between asymmetrically constructed plasmonic gold nanoparticle clusters. We observe that near infrared photons are converted to visible photons through efficient plasmonic second harmonic generation. Our theoretical model and simulations demonstrate that Fano resonances may be responsible for being able to observe nonlinear conversion using a continuous wave light source. We show that nonlinearity enhancement of plasmonic nanostructures via coupled quantum mechanical oscillators such as molecules can be several orders larger as compared to their classical counterparts.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figure

UAV Operator mental workload:A neurophysiological comparison of mental workload and vigilance

Human Factors can offer insights into the nature of human performance across many different domains. The steady increase of unmanned systems presents not only a unique challenge in terms of defining the nature of human-system interaction, but also the demand for providing decision support systems to assist the human operate multiple of these systems, or indeed operate beyond line of visual sight. The nature of cognitive performance can involve a high degree of complexity and in many instances result in disagreement over what it is that is actually being measured. The main cognitive processes that tend to be discussed in terms of operating UAVs tends to focus on mental workload and situation awareness. However, other constructs, such as vigilance, may be considered as important when we examine the task of commanding a UAV – more so when a single operator is supervising multiple UAVs. This paper presents the findings of a study whereby participants were asked to perform tasks involving the control of a UAV. Neurophysiological assessment was carried out by application of functional near infra-red spectroscopy, and results are discussed in relation to how this technique can provide insight into higher cognitive functions related to UAV operator state

Electronic Structure and Magnetic Exchange Coupling in Ferromagnetic Full Heusler Alloys

Density-functional studies of the electronic structures and exchange interaction parameters have been performed for a series of ferromagnetic full Heusler alloys of general formula Co$_2$MnZ (Z = Ga, Si, Ge, Sn), Rh$_2$MnZ (Z = Ge, Sn, Pb), Ni$_2$MnSn, Cu$_2$MnSn and Pd$_2$MnSn, and the connection between the electronic spectra and the magnetic interactions have been studied. Different mechanisms contributing to the exchange coupling are revealed. The band dependence of the exchange parameters, their dependence on volume and valence electron concentration have been thoroughly analyzed within the Green function technique.Comment: 9 figures, 6 table

Inbred Strain-Specific Effects of Exercise in Wild Type and Biglycan Deficient Mice

Biglycan (bgn)-deficient mice (KO) have defective osteoblasts which lead to changes in the amount and quality of bone. Altered tissue strength in C57BL6/129 (B6;129) KO mice, a property which is independent of tissue quantity, suggests that deficiencies in tissue quality are responsible. However, the response to bgn-deficiency is inbred strain-specific. Mechanical loading influences bone matrix quality in addition to any increase in bone mass or change in bone formation activity. Since many diseases influence the mechanical integrity of bone through altered tissue quality, loading may be a way to prevent and treat extracellular matrix deficiencies. C3H/He (C3H) mice consistently have a less vigorous response to mechanical loading vs. other inbred strains. It was therefore hypothesized that the bones from both wild type (WT) and KO B6;129 mice would be more responsive to exercise than the bones from C3H mice. To test these hypotheses at 11 weeks of age, following 21 consecutive days of exercise, we investigated cross-sectional geometry, mechanical properties, and tissue composition in the tibiae of male mice bred on B6;129 and C3H backgrounds. This study demonstrated inbred strain-specific compositional and mechanical changes following exercise in WT and KO mice, and showed evidence of genotype-specific changes in bone in response to loading in a gene disruption model. This study further shows that exercise can influence bone tissue composition and/or mechanical integrity without changes in bone geometry. Together, these data suggest that exercise may represent a possible means to alter tissue quality and mechanical deficiencies caused by many diseases of bone